Draft rumor: Broncos "enamored" with QB Dak Prescott

[VonDoom]

From Walter Football's Charlie Campbell comes a couple of interesting bits of information. One is that the Broncos seem to like Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott as a second or third round pick:


Even if Osweiler is re-signed, drafting a quarterback early in the 2016 NFL draft is definitely in play for Denver. The Broncos loved North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz, but know that he won't be getting anywhere near Denver's pick. However, the team also is enamored with Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott. He is a good fit in Gary Kubiak's offense and sources say that Prescott is in play for the Broncos on the second-day of the draft.

At the Senior Bowl, Prescott really helped himself by impressing teams with intelligence, leadership and overall football character. Sources from multiple teams raved about Prescott's performance in the team interviews. They say he is a fast-rising prospect in the quarterback-needy NFL.

Denver's plan is to address the defensive line in the first round. They love Alabama's Jarran Reed, but he also is very unlikely to make it to pick 31. Still, the 2016 draft is loaded at the defensive line, so there should be some good options available to the Broncos. Even though Denver's first-round pick could go to fortifying its tremendous defense, the changes at quarterback will get all the attention this offseason.

I could definitely see them going defense again at pick 31 - that's been Elway's style so far. This is the first time I've heard Prescott's name linked to the Broncos, though. No idea how reliable Campbell is on this kind of thing. He also says that the Broncos want Osweiler at $10 million a year, while he is looking for $12 million. Doesn't seem like it would be that hard to narrow that difference down, if it is indeed accurate.

http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftrumormill.php

[Northman]

Eeeek. Hope this isnt true. I would much rather have us look at Hogan later in the draft or make a play for Cook somewhere in the second.

[Slick]

Yeah, he looks too much like Tebow in the few youtubes I've seen. A total of about 5 plays out of 100 where he took a drop, read the D and threw the ball on time. HIs highlights are all runs or broken down pass plays.

[Joel]

I'm more perplexed by that statement we're planning to spend #32 on a defensive lineman: Even though we just re-signed Wolfe, are trying to re-sign Jackson and have Sly (a former 1st rounder himself) under contract another year? Are we doing that "spend our 1st round pick on a backup and find starters for existing holes later" thing again? Ask Manning, Oz and CJ how well Shane Ray kept them healthy enough to play last year.

[VonDoom]

I'm more perplexed by that statement we're planning to spend #32 on a defensive lineman: Even though we just re-signed Wolfe, are trying to re-sign Jackson and have Sly (a former 1st rounder himself) under contract another year? Are we doing that "spend our 1st round pick on a backup and find starters for existing holes later" thing again? Ask Manning, Oz and CJ how well Shane Ray kept them healthy enough to play last year.

I think that assumes we don't sign Jackson, which is the likelier outcome

[Slick]

I think that assumes we don't sign Jackson, which is the likelier outcome

Agreed. I hate it, but someone's going to pay him more than Denver can afford to. Joel isn't thinking that one all the way through.

[BroncoWave]

As a Mississippi State fan this would give me a serious stiffy. Make it happen, Elway!

[underrated29]

Yep, provided Malik leaves....I see us going DL early too.

[Valar Morghulis]

Prescott sucks balls.

I would rather draft a punter in the first

[TXBRONC]

I think that assumes we don't sign Jackson, which is the likelier outcome

Quality linemen offensive and defensive are very difficult to find.

[Joel]

I think that assumes we don't sign Jackson, which is the likelier outcome
Fair enough; I just don't value DEs as highly in a 3-4 as in a 4-3, especially when we already have a stud on the other side. But defense has never been my focus, so maybe I'm underestimating the 3-4 DE. I'm the first to admit we shouldn't get so fixated on sacks that we ignore an elite run stuffer because "he only had 4 sacks." The main thing is that 1st round picks are for immediate starters with immediate impact; there are plenty of role players and developmental guys available later.

[turftoad]

As a Mississippi State fan this would give me a serious stiffy. Make it happen, Elway!

Wave, you want Elway to give you a stiffy?

[Cugel]

I'm more perplexed by that statement we're planning to spend #32 on a defensive lineman: Even though we just re-signed Wolfe, are trying to re-sign Jackson and have Sly (a former 1st rounder himself) under contract another year? Are we doing that "spend our 1st round pick on a backup and find starters for existing holes later" thing again? Ask Manning, Oz and CJ how well Shane Ray kept them healthy enough to play last year.

Well, if the reports I heard from Broncos Insider Mike Klis about Malik Jackson wanting $15 M a year and other teams reported prepared to pay that much (particularly the Raiders who want to get better while simultaneously hurting the Broncos and who have $74 M in cap space they have to spend), are true, then Malik would be gone.

There's no way the Broncos are giving $15 M a year to Malik. And he's made it clear he wants the maximum pay-day and is leaving everything to his agent to "take care of my family". Ka-Ching! So, they could have an opening for a 3-4 DE.

If they don't spend the pick on an OL then DL makes the most sense, unless they lose Danny Trevathan in which case inside LB makes sense.

But, name any other positions than T, G or DE that would even make this roster. There aren't a lot of openings on the 53 man roster. I see maybe 2 or at most 3 rookies making the team.

[Cugel]

Fair enough; I just don't value DEs as highly in a 3-4 as in a 4-3, especially when we already have a stud on the other side. But defense has never been my focus, so maybe I'm underestimating the 3-4 DE. I'm the first to admit we shouldn't get so fixated on sacks that we ignore an elite run stuffer because "he only had 4 sacks." The main thing is that 1st round picks are for immediate starters with immediate impact; there are plenty of role players and developmental guys available later.

Normally you'd be right, but a 3-4 DE who can also generate pressure on the passer is an elite player in the NFL and extremely valuable to teams. It's just that this Broncos team has so many other needs (Von Miller, Danny Trevathan, Brock Osweiler, etc.) that giving an outrageous amount of $ like $15 M a year to Malik just doesn't make sense.

[Dapper Dan]

Broncos haven't won a Super Bowl without having a QB from a school I like. So your options are Tennessee, Stanford, Duke, and WKU. So go with Brandon Doughty.

[chazoe60]

If we lose Malik is Anunike(sp?) the logical "next man up" in terms of guys on the roster now? I can't remember if he's a DE or an inside guy.

[chazoe60]

Broncos haven't won a Super Bowl without having a QB from a school I like. So your options are Tennessee, Stanford, Duke, and WKU. So go with Brandon Doughty.

In that case go with Hogan.

[LTC Pain]

If we lose Malik is Anunike(sp?) the logical "next man up" in terms of guys on the roster now? I can't remember if he's a DE or an inside guy.

Anunike is listed as a DE on the Broncos website.

[Dapper Dan]

In that case go with Hogan.

I approve. Hopefully we bring in McCaffery as well.

[Northman]

In that case go with Hogan.

^This

[FanInAZ]

Broncos haven't won a Super Bowl without having a QB from a school I like. So your options are Tennessee, Stanford, Duke, and WKU. So go with Brandon Doughty.

Wyoming & Arizona :D

[Ravage!!!]

I'm more perplexed by that statement we're planning to spend #32 on a defensive lineman: Even though we just re-signed Wolfe, are trying to re-sign Jackson and have Sly (a former 1st rounder himself) under contract another year? Are we doing that "spend our 1st round pick on a backup and find starters for existing holes later" thing again? Ask Manning, Oz and CJ how well Shane Ray kept them healthy enough to play last year.

You do realize that there isn't always a OL that is better than any other OL at the 32 spot, right? That taking just "an" OL doesn't fix a problem? Simply taking a player based purely on his position, is a terrible way to draft.

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

If we lose Malik is Anunike(sp?) the logical "next man up" in terms of guys on the roster now? I can't remember if he's a DE or an inside guy.

Or Kilgo

[NightTerror218]

Or Kilgo

Kilgo is back up to Sly. Big ol' body.

[Joel]

If we lose Malik is Anunike(sp?) the logical "next man up" in terms of guys on the roster now? I can't remember if he's a DE or an inside guy.
Spelling's correct, but I'm not holding my breath on Anunike being anything. He spent last year on IR as a 4-3 tweener pass rush specialist, so I thought he might back Von and Ware this year. Then we drafted Ray, Barrett emerged in camp and Anunike gained 20 lbs. to be our lightest 3-4 DE but spent ANOTHER year on IR.

If we can't/won't re-sign Jackson, I'd bet on Walker or Smith to be next man up, depending on whether we re-sign THEM. Both were solid, if unspectacular, in Wolfes spot while he was suspended the seasons first month. Not as dynamic as he, but they had an impact, and you likely recall how our D came storming out of the gate Opening Day. Wolfes return made it better, but the drop from him to Smith/Walker was less than I expected, and Walker backed Sly after that, too.

Nothing against Anunike, but a guy who can sub for Wolfe OR Sly, and HAS, looks a better bet to start at Jacksons spot if he walks.

[Mike]

I just want the team to focus on DL and OL. We just proved that it is possible to win the SB with a complete nothing at QB and next to nothing offensive production. Fix the oline, the run game improves and you can get serviceable play from a game managing QB.

[Lancane]

He reminds me of Wilson, but his hands will be an issue, especially in colder climates. I'd rather see us take Hogan as well or Cook.

[NightTerror218]

Since we are on rumors now. Can anyone give me some ideas on podcasts to listen to on broncos. Mike and Mike I know about.

[Joel]

You do realize that there isn't always a OL that is better than any other OL at the 32 spot, right? That taking just "an" OL doesn't fix a problem? Simply taking a player based purely on his position, is a terrible way to draft.
I realize those things, yes. Do you realize the top talent at EVERY spot is gone by #32? That taking just "the Best Player Available" ceased to be an option at around #10, and now we're down to the Best Player LEFT? Consider an illustrative extreme:

It's the 7th round, you have 9 WRs under contract but NO safeties and the Best Player Left at your pick's a WR: Do you take him, or one of the 5 remaining safeties?

Obviously I'm not equating #32 with Mr. Irrelevant, but in our case the difference between "early 2nd" and "late 1st" is ONE PICK. I generally feel 1st round picks are for immediate starters and potential stars, but that may not be an option at #32: If that's the case, shouldn't we get a guy who actually HELPS THE TEAM rather than reaching on a guy who'll just be Wolfes (or Wares) backup anyway? Remember the YEARS of crap Moreno got because he didn't deliver "1st round value"? Has Ray?

More to the point, I remember a lot of people being high on DJ Humphries, hoping we'd take him to address a big need at RT, and he was there at #23: We took Ray, Arizona took Humphries at #24, and we found our starting RT 32 picks later. We STILL spent an early round pick on an OT, but the 9th OT drafted instead of the 5th. Adding insult to injury, the highest drafted guard was Laken Tomlinson at #28:

#28 was our natural pick, but we traded it, our 5th rounder, this years 5th rounder AND Manny Ramirez to Detroit to move up just 5 spots and get Ray.

[tomjonesrocks]

I realize those things, yes. Do you realize the top talent at EVERY spot is gone by #32?

I'll take Roby over any of the other 1st round corners in the '14 draft. Gilbert, Fuller, Dennard, etc. I'll take Roby.

[NightTerror218]

I'll take Roby over any of the other 1st round corners in the '14 draft. Gilbert, Fuller, Dennard, etc. I'll take Roby.

The draft is not 100%. It is playing the odds. The odds are the earlier the pick the odds of a better player.

Harris, Travathen, malik, and Marshall will tell you to shove it.

[Joel]

I'll take Roby over any of the other 1st round corners in the '14 draft. Gilbert, Fuller, Dennard, etc. I'll take Roby.
Pretty much what NightTerror said. More to the point, noting occasional late round gems is just another argument AGAINST always taking the Best Player Left. If you trust your scouts to find a Terrell Davis in the 6th, why waste a late 1st on a RB when you're starting Barry Sanders but your #1 WR's David Kircus? You probably won't find a HoFer at #32, but if you take the top rated guy somewhere you have a hole you'll get a solid player far more productive than a star benchwarmer.

[Simple Jaded]

I'm a Buffs fan, all the viagra in the world wouldn't give me a stiffy over Sefo.

[SoCalImport]

Not a rumour. Just didn't want to start a new thread to share this incredibly lazy mock by a guy that gets paid to produce these kinds of gems.
I think he's forgotten the second round pick used on a TE just last year.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000637705/article/davis-mock-draft-10-cowboys-boost-d-with-bosa

[SoCalImport]

And I need to learn how to post a link. Apparently

[VonDoom]

Not a rumour. Just didn't want to start a new thread to share this incredibly lazy mock by a guy that gets paid to produce these kinds of gems.
I think he's forgotten the second round pick used on a TE just last year.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000637705/article/davis-mock-draft-10-cowboys-boost-d-with-bosa

I've seen a bunch of experts already mocking Hunter Henry to us. I have no idea why. I seriously doubt we pick a TE in the 1st.

[Ravage!!!]

I've seen a bunch of experts already mocking Hunter Henry to us. I have no idea why. I seriously doubt we pick a TE in the 1st.

Me too.. however... we REALLY need one.

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

Didn't Denver take a highly TE in the 2nd round last year?

If he has a clean bill of health I doubt we draft one early this year, unless a top 20 talent falls to us.

[VonDoom]

Me too.. however... we REALLY need one.

I think Daniels will be fine for another year. We have Green, though he was a ghost last year. They were high on Heuerman, so we'll see if that means anything. We signed that guy Gordon to block. If he makes the roster, that's four TE already. If he doesn't, there's an open spot, but I can't see Henry being that guy. And supposedly this is a weak TE class.

[GEM]

And I need to learn how to post a link. Apparently

Fixed it for ya. :)

[Simple Jaded]

Hunter Henry can't block worth a shit.

Nick Vannett in the 4th would be sweet if he's still there, having him and Heuerman in Two TE sets would be tits. Maybe then Daniels could take a lesser role.